Obituaries

Daniel L. Hagerman

August 8, 1948 to December 22, 2023

WINAMAC - Daniel L. “Pops” Hagerman, 75, of Winamac, passed away Friday, Dec. 22, at his home.

He was born Aug. 8, 1948 in Arcata, CA to Frederick B. and Madyline [Milburn] Hagerman. He graduated from Beaver Creek (OH) High School in 1967. The proud son of a highly decorated Air Force veteran, Daniel joined the U.S. Navy. He served four years and achieved the rank of ADR3 at the time of his honorable discharge in 1971. During his time in the Navy, he met Marie A. Hunnicutt, and they were married Aug. 6, 1970 in Brunswick, GA. She passed away May 28, 2023.

Daniel Hagerman

He is survived by:
Jody Wyant, Daughter
Wyatt Hagerman, Son
Byron (Marisol) Cole, USN, Grandson
Daniel Cole, Great-Grandson
Juliana Cole, Great-Granddaughter
Ann Hagerman, Sister

Preceded in death by:
Lt. Col. Frederick Hagerman, USAF Ret., and Madyline Hagerman, Parents
SA Timothy W. Hagerman, U.S. Navy, Brother

Mr. Hagerman was a true artist whose talents included drawing and painting. He was a guitar master and an amateur astronomer. He enjoyed snow skiing, sky diving and flying small planes. These are but a few of the many hobbies and talents he enjoyed. When he found an interest, he poured his entire soul into it. He touched the lives of all who knew him and will be sadly missed.

Private burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with final expenses.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Dallas D. Hewitt

August 2, 1939 to December 21, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - Dallas D. Hewitt, 84, of Logansport passed away at 3:15 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 21, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Ft. Wayne.

Born on Aug. 2, 1939 in Winamac, he was the son of the late Chester and Luetta (Reinholt) Hewitt. He married Carol Jean Hewitt in 1978.

Survivors include his sister Ethel Campbell, step-daughter Connie Winn, and step-son James Moss.

He was preceded in death by his wife, daughter Crystal Hewitt, brothers Gerald Hewitt, Jack Hewitt and Harold Reinholt, and sister Shirley Hallam.

Mr. Hewitt retired from Small Parts, Inc. in Logansport. He enjoyed woodworking, reading and watching NASCAR.

There will be no service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes Royal Center.

Jeffrey C. Henderson

August 13, 1967 to December 20, 2023

WINAMAC - Jeffrey Charles “Hubba” Henderson, 56, of Monticello, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Northwest Health Portage Hospital in Portage.

He was born Aug. 13, 1967 at Beale AFB in California to Charles L. “Ron” and Rayanna [Clouser] Henderson. He graduated from Winamac Community High School in 1986 where he was active in football and wrestling, as well as track and field.  He enjoyed Scouting and proudly achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After high school, he studied automotive technology at Northwest Ohio Technology School. He married Viola Mae Floyd on Sept. 27, 2003, at the First United Methodist Church in Winamac. She survives.

Jeffrey Henderson

He is also survived by:
Jeffrey Carl (Micah) Henderson, Valparaiso, Son
Mara Henderson, Royal Center, Daughter
Jeffrey T. Henderson, Grandson
Athena Henderson, Granddaughter
Rayanna Henderson, Valparaiso, Mother
Jennifer (Jeremy) Pape, Valparaiso, Sister
Josie (Scott) McLaughlin, Chesterton, Sister
Many Nieces and Nephews
Donald (Nancy) Clouser, Winamac, Uncle
Elizabeth (Stan) Machaj, Dyer, Aunt
Ronald Henderson, Shelbyville, Uncle
Numerous Cousins

He is preceded in death by:
Charles  Henderson, Father
Charles T. “Tom” Floyd, Father-in-law
Ernest and Alladean [Kroft] Clouser, Grandparents
Clifford and Elizabeth [Avery] Henderson, Grandparents
Donald R . Henderson, Uncle

Mr. Henderson was a longtime truck driver for Tippecanoe Beverage and Hopkins Trucking. He was currently employed at Van Meter Trucking. He was a member of Pulaski County ABATE and was a motorcycle enthusiast. He was an outdoors man who enjoyed camping, hunting, shooting, and riding around the neighborhood on his golf cart. He was an “avid golfer,” playing one round a year at the Clouser Open. He loved spending time with his friends and family, as well as his dogs. He will be deeply missed.

The family will host a celebration of life service at a later date. Private family graveside services and burial will be held at Winamac Cemetery (Southlawn Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family (c/o Viola Henderson) to help with recent medical expenses for Jeff.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Bryan L. Fitz

November 7, 1970 to December 18, 2023

ROYAL CENTER - Bryan Lynn Fitz, 53 of Phoenix, AZ (formerly of Winamac), passed away Monday, Dec. 18, at home.

Born Nov. 7, 1970 in Winamac, he was the son of Garry and Marsha (Hunt) Fitz. He was a 1989 West Central graduate. He married Sage Hanson on Feb. 8, 2002. She preceded him in death in 2023.

Survivors include his parents, Garry and Marsha Fitz of Winamac; son Justin Fitz of Texas and sisters Lucinda and Joel Christenson of Montana, and Lisa.  He is also survived by 4 nephews, 2 nieces and 1 great-nephew.

He is preceded in death by two sons Stelllan and Baynen Fitz.

Mr. Fitz formerly worked on a ranch in Colorado and also worked construction for 12 years in Hawaii.  Most recently he worked on Harley Davidson motorcycles.  He also spent 10 years in the U.S. Army.

A graveside service with military rites will be at Paul's Chapel, rural Winamac, at a later date.

Mr. Fitz’s online guestbook is available and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ransfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Rans Funeral Homes Royal Center.

Clara L. Smith

August 29, 1929 to November 17, 2023

Clara Smith

WINAMAC – Word has been received of the death of Clara Louise Smith, 94, Friday, Nov. 17, in Gilbert, AZ. 

She was born Aug. 29, 1929 in Buffalo, IN and was a native of Monticello where she graduated from high school in 1947.  On June 24, 1951, she married Richard Devon Smith of Francesville. After 56 years of marriage, he died in 2008.

She is survived by two sons, Mikel J. Smith and Steven D. Smith; three grandchildren, Kellie Smith, Earl Smith and Eric Smith; three great-grandchildren; and her sister, Alberta Miller.

In 1963, Mrs. Smith and her husband purchased the Indian Head Road House in Winamac and converted it into a restaurant, lounge and Rathskeller (bar in the basement). Later they built a 20-unit motel. They sold the business in 1976 and retired. She will be forever loved and remembered. The family appreciates the love and remembrance of Clara.

Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Jennifer L. Peterson

August 9, 1968 to December 14, 2023

WINAMAC - Jennifer L. Peterson, 55, of Lucerne, passed away Thursday, Dec. 14, at her home.

She was born Aug. 9, 1968 in Chesterton, to the late Paul K. and Jill A. [Rietesel] Ashbaugh. She graduated from Chesterton High School and Ball State University. On Oct. 30, 2015, she married Mark A. Peterson at Lawton Christian Church in Lawton, IN. He passed away Nov. 29, 2022.

Jennifer Peterson

She is survived by:
Matt Peterson, Monterey, Step-Son
3 Cousins: Curt, Kevin and Jeff Waugh
Jenny (Michael) McGraw, Zionsville, Sister-in-law
Judy (Doug) Hartz, Plymouth, Sister-in-law
Ginger (James) Boys, Valparaiso, Sister-in-law
Jarrel (Pam) Hartle, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Numerous Beloved Pets

Preceded in death by:
Amos J. and Sarah K. [Reinholt] Peterson, In-laws
Jane Hartle, Sister-in-law

Mrs. Peterson was a social worker with a heart of gold. She had previously worked at Camelot Care Center in Logansport, and served on the board of the Cass County Youth Services Bureau. She was a member of the Lions Club in Lucerne for many years. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, snowmobiling, boating and reading. She will be deeply missed.

No services will be held.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.